Windows 11 licenses can usually be transferred to a new computer, but whether you can move the license depends on how Windows was originally licensed. A retail license generally gives you more flexibility, while an OEM license is normally tied to the first PC it was activated on.
If you are replacing an old PC, upgrading to a new computer, or building a new PC and want to use your existing Windows 11 license, it is important to check the license type before removing Windows from the old device. You may also need to deactivate the old installation and activate Windows again on the new computer using your Microsoft account or product key.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to transfer a Windows 11 license to a new computer, how to check whether your license is transferable, and what to do if Windows does not activate after the move.
Can You Transfer a Windows 11 License to Another Computer?
Yes, but not every Windows 11 license can be transferred to a new computer. The key factor is the type of license you have.
Retail License
A Windows 11 license purchased separately from a computer, such as from Microsoft or an authorized retailer, is generally transferable to another computer. However, the license can be used on only one computer at a time.
If you replace your old PC, you can transfer the retail license to the new computer and activate Windows on it. You should remove the license from the old computer rather than using the same license on both devices.
OEM License
An OEM Windows license normally comes with a new PC and is tied to that device’s hardware, particularly the motherboard. It generally cannot be transferred to a different computer.
For example, if Windows 11 came preinstalled on your Dell, HP, Lenovo, or other PC, you generally cannot move that license to a completely different PC.
Replacing other components, such as RAM or storage, does not normally make the Windows license transferable. A motherboard replacement can also affect activation, although Microsoft provides some activation troubleshooting options for hardware changes.
Digital License
Windows 11 can also be activated with a digital license, meaning you don’t necessarily need to enter a 25-character product key during activation.
A digital license can be associated with your Microsoft account. However, simply seeing “Windows is activated with a digital license” does not by itself prove that the license can be transferred. The underlying license type still matters.
How to Check Your Windows 11 License Type
Before transferring Windows 11 to a new computer, check what type of license is installed on your current PC. Windows does not always clearly label the license as “Retail” or “OEM” in Settings, but you can check it using Command Prompt.
Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, and open it.
Enter the following command:
slmgr /dliPress Enter.
A Windows Script Host window will appear and show basic information about your Windows license.
Look for the Description field. It may contain terms such as:
- RETAIL channel — indicates a retail license.
- OEM_DM channel — typically indicates an OEM license embedded in the computer’s firmware.
- OEM_COA — indicates an older OEM-style license.
If you see RETAIL, the license is generally transferable to another computer, provided it is removed from the old computer and used on only one PC at a time.
If you see an OEM channel, the license is generally tied to the original computer and cannot normally be transferred to a different PC.
You can also run:
slmgr /dlvThis displays more detailed licensing information, including the license channel.
Before Transferring Windows 11
Before moving the license, make sure the new computer has the same Windows edition as your existing license. For example, a Windows 11 Home license cannot normally activate Windows 11 Pro.
If you have a Microsoft account linked to your digital license, sign in with the same account on the new PC. If you purchased a retail license with a product key, keep the 25-character key available in case Windows asks for it during activation.
Also, remember that a transferable Windows license should be used on only one computer at a time. Once you move it to the new PC, you should no longer use that license on the old computer.
How to Transfer a Windows 11 License to a New Computer
Once you have confirmed that your Windows 11 license is transferable, you can move it to the new PC. The exact process depends on whether you have a product key or a digital license.
1. Install the Same Windows Edition
On the new computer, install the same edition of Windows 11 that your license covers.
For example, if your old PC has Windows 11 Home, install Windows 11 Home on the new computer.
During installation, Windows may ask for a product key. If you are using a digital license, select I don’t have a product key and continue with the installation.
2. Activate Windows on the New PC
After Windows 11 is installed, open Settings → System → Activation
If you have a product key, select Change product key and enter your 25-character Windows product key.
If your license is linked to your Microsoft account, sign in with that account and check whether Windows activates automatically.
3. Use the Activation Troubleshooter if Necessary
If Windows does not activate automatically, select Troubleshoot on the Activation page.
If the troubleshooter detects that the computer’s hardware has changed, look for the option:
I changed hardware on this device recently
Sign in to your Microsoft account if prompted, select the old device from the list, and follow the instructions to activate Windows on the new computer.
Quick Insight: A digital license does not always activate automatically after moving to a different PC because Windows sees the new computer as different hardware. The Activation troubleshooter is designed to help with this situation.
How to Remove the Windows 11 License From the Old PC
If you are permanently moving a transferable license to another computer, you should stop using that license on the old PC. For a retail product key, you can also uninstall the product key from the old installation before using it on the new computer.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
slmgr /upkPress Enter. Windows should display a message confirming that the product key has been uninstalled.
You can then shut down or reset the old computer before giving it away or selling it.
Important: This command removes the product key from the current Windows installation; it does not automatically transfer the license to the new PC. You still need to activate Windows on the new computer using your product key or the digital license activation method.
What to Do If Windows 11 Won’t Activate on the New PC
If Windows 11 does not activate after the transfer, first make sure the Windows edition matches your license and that you are signed in with the Microsoft account associated with the digital license.
Then open:
Settings → System → Activation → Troubleshoot
If Windows detects a hardware change, select I changed hardware on this device recently, sign in to your Microsoft account, and select the old device from the available list.
If you are using a retail product key and activation still fails, select Change product key and enter the key again.
If the license is an OEM license that came with the old computer, activation on a completely different PC may fail because that license is normally tied to the original device. In that situation, you generally need a new Windows license for the new computer.
Can You Transfer Windows 11 to a New PC Without a Product Key?
Yes, if your Windows 11 installation has a transferable digital license. You do not necessarily need to know or enter a 25-character product key.
Sign in to the same Microsoft account that is associated with the digital license on the new computer. Then go to:
Settings → System → Activation
If Windows does not activate automatically, select Troubleshoot and use the option I changed hardware on this device recently.
However, a digital license does not automatically mean it can be transferred. If the license originally came with the old computer, it is generally an OEM license and remains tied to that device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you have a transferable retail Windows 11 license. You can move it to a new computer, but the license should not be used on both computers simultaneously. Windows licenses that came preinstalled with a PC are generally tied to that device.
Generally, no. An OEM Windows license that came with a computer is normally tied to the original device and cannot be transferred to a completely different PC.
Yes. A transferable digital license can be activated without manually entering a product key. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the license and use the Windows Activation troubleshooter if necessary.
The old computer should no longer use the transferred license. If you are selling or giving away the PC, you should also reset the device and remove your personal data before handing it over.
Activation can fail if the Windows edition does not match the license, the license is not transferable, or Microsoft cannot associate the digital license with the new hardware. Check Settings → System → Activation and run the Activation troubleshooter.
